CSM Certified ScrumMaster Exam Question and Answers

Thethree Scrum artifacts—Product Backlog,Sprint Backlog, andIncrement—providetransparencyinto the work and enable opportunities forinspection and adaptation. These artifacts are essential to ensuring the Scrum Team and stakeholders can inspect progress and adapt plans to maximize value.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide:

Product Backlog: Represents all the work needed to achieve the Product Goal and allows inspection and prioritization of upcoming work.

Sprint Backlog: A real-time plan for the Sprint that provides transparency into what the team is working on and allows inspection and adaptation during the Sprint.

Increment: The outcome of the Sprint that is usable and meets the Definition of Done, enabling stakeholders to inspect progress and provide feedback.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Burndown Charts, release plan and Product Backlog:Burndown charts and release plans are complementary tools, but they are not official Scrum artifacts.

C. Definition of Done and Product Backlog:The Definition of Done is not an artifact but a shared understanding of when work is complete.

D. Definition of Done, Sprint Backlog and Product Backlog:While the Sprint Backlog and Product Backlog are artifacts, the Definition of Done is not.

The correct statement is:An Increment must be in a usable condition and meet the Definition of Done. Each Increment builds upon previous Increments and must be complete, usable, and meet the agreed-uponDefinition of Doneso it can be inspected during the Sprint Review. Whether or not the Increment is released is a separate decision made by the Product Owner.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide:

An Increment is the result of work done during a Sprint and must meet the Definition of Done.

The Increment isusable, even if the Product Owner decides not to release it.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. It must have all of the requirements that need to be in the product before the Product Owner will release it:Increments do not require all requirements to be complete before being usable or inspectable. Scrum is iterative, delivering value incrementally.

B. Is not releasable until the Product Owner determines it is done:The Product Owner does not determine whether the Increment is "done"; the team’s adherence to the Definitionof Done determines this.

D. Is not releasable until it has all of the features to be a Minimally Viable Product:Each Increment must meet the Definition of Done, regardless of whether it meets all features for an MVP.

When a Scrum Master encounters resistance from outside the Scrum Team, their role is to act as aservant leader and coach, ensuring the organization's adoption of Scrum is effective. Resistance often stems from a lack of understanding or buy-in regarding the value of Scrum.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master serves the organization in several ways, including:

Leading, training, and coaching the organization in its Scrum adoption.

Planning and advising Scrum implementations within the organization.

Helping employees and stakeholders understand and enact an empirical approach for complex work.

In this case, the Scrum Master collaborates with other Scrum Masters to amplify the effectiveness of Scrum across the organization. This collaboration is essential for addressing systemic challenges or resistance to Scrum.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Escalate to management to reprimand the resisters:Escalating and seeking reprimand is not aligned with the Scrum Master's role as a facilitator and coach. This approach could create conflict rather than resolve resistance.

B. Not intervene in the business of others:The Scrum Master’s role involves actively addressing impediments and resistance. Avoiding intervention undermines their responsibility to promote Scrum.

C. Create a status update meeting for all Scrum Masters to coordinate teamdependencies:While collaboration among Scrum Masters is essential, "status update meetings" are not a Scrum practice, and coordination of dependencies is typically handled within Sprint Planning or during collaborative refinement sessions.

TheSprint Backlogis owned solely by theDevelopers, as they are responsible for planning, managing, and executing the work required to meet the Sprint Goal. The Sprint Backlog is ahighly visible, real-time planfor delivering the Increment. It includes:

TheSprint Goal.

The set of Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint.

A plan for delivering the Increment.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Developers:

Have full ownership and accountability over the Sprint Backlog.

Decide how to adapt their work plan daily to achieve the Sprint Goal.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Scrum Master:The Scrum Master facilitates the Scrum process but does not own the Sprint Backlog.

C. Product Owner:The Product Owner manages the Product Backlog, not the Sprint Backlog.

D. Scrum Team:While the Sprint Goal is owned by the entire Scrum Team, the Sprint Backlog is specifically managed and executed by the Developers.

Scrum teams plan workone Sprint at a time, using theSprint Planning eventto adapt the Sprint Backlog based on what was learned in previous Sprints. This approach aligns with Scrum'sempirical process control, which relies on inspection and adaptation to plan effectively.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide:

Sprint Planning creates aSprint Backlog, which includes the Sprint Goal, selected Product Backlog items, and the plan to deliver them.

Teams adjust their plans Sprint by Sprint, responding to new information, feedback, and changing circumstances.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. One release at a time, adjusting the number of Sprints to the prior releases’ average velocity:Scrum does not prescribe release-driven planning or adjusting Sprint duration based on velocity.

C. One project at a time, adjusting each Sprint Backlog Item to meet the release date negotiated at inception:Scrum encourages iterative planning within Sprints, not fixed plans tied to predetermined release dates.

D. One Sprint at a time in the Product Backlog Refinement meeting with participation of stakeholders:Product Backlog Refinement is an ongoing activity, not a Sprint planning process. Stakeholders typically participate in Sprint Reviews, not in backlog refinement.

In theScrum framework, the three defined accountabilities are:

Product Owner– Responsible for maximizing the value of the product by managing the Product Backlog.

Scrum Master– Ensures that Scrum is understood and enacted effectively, removes impediments, and serves the Scrum Team and organization.

Developers– Responsible for delivering a "Done" Increment that meets the Sprint Goal.

There is no role forLead Developer,Project Manager, orBusiness Analystin Scrum. Scrum promotes self-management, cross-functional teams, and does not include traditional hierarchical roles.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Lead Developer:Scrum does not have a Lead Developer role or accountability.

B. Project Manager:Scrum does not include a Project Manager role as tasks and responsibilities are distributed among the Scrum Team.

D. Business Analyst:While the Product Owner may perform some business analysis tasks, there is no separate role for a Business Analyst in Scrum.

The Scrum Master serves not only theScrum Teambut also thelarger organizationby ensuring that Scrum is understood and enacted effectively. This aligns with the Scrum Master’s role as aservant leaderand a facilitator of organizational agility.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master serves:

The Scrum Team: By coaching team members, removing impediments, and ensuring Scrum events are productive and timeboxed.

The Product Owner: By helping with effective Product Backlog management and stakeholder collaboration.

The Organization: By leading Scrum adoption, coaching employees and stakeholders, and removing systemic barriers.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. The Scrum Team only:While serving the Scrum Team is a key part of the Scrum Master’s role, they also serve the organization and the Product Owner.

B. The management:The Scrum Master works with management but does not exclusively serve them. Their focus is on enabling Scrum practices across the organization.

C. No one:This is incorrect as the Scrum Master’s role is fundamentally about serving and supporting others.

One of the key services aScrum Master provides to the Product Owneris helping them findeffective Product Backlog management techniques. This ensures that the Product Owner can maximize the value of the product and effectively manage the Product Backlog.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master serves the Product Owner by:

Helping the Product Owner find techniques for effective Product Goal definition and Product Backlog management.

Facilitating stakeholder collaboration when needed.

Supporting empirical product planning for complex environments.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Assign tasks to the Developers:Tasks are not assigned in Scrum. Developers are self-organizing and responsible for determining how they will complete the work.

B. Write user stories:Writing user stories is a Product Owner responsibility, not the Scrum Master's.

C. Prioritize the backlog:The Product Owner prioritizes the Product Backlog, not the Scrum Master.

The Scrum Team must demonstrateCommitmentto achieve the Sprint Goal. Commitment is one of the five Scrum Values, and it reflects the team’s dedication to the Sprint Goal, the work planned in the Sprint Backlog, and to collaborating effectively. Without commitment, the team cannot focus on delivering the Increment or achieving the Sprint Goal.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Values are:

Commitment: Dedication to the team’s goals and delivering value.

Focus: Concentrating on the Sprint Goal and avoiding distractions.

Openness: Being transparent about challenges and progress.

Respect: Valuing each team member and their contributions.

Courage: Facing challenges and making tough decisions.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Completion:This is not a Scrum Value. Commitment drives completion, but "completion" itself is not a value.

C. Agreement:While agreement is important, Scrum does not define it as a core value.

D. Alignment:While alignment is critical to achieving goals, it is not one of the five Scrum Values.

TheDaily Scrumis the event where impediments to achieving the Sprint Goal are shared. It is a time-boxed event (15 minutes) held every day during the Sprint. During this event, the Developers inspect their progress toward the Sprint Goal and identify any blockers or impediments that need to be addressed.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide:

The Developers use the Daily Scrum to inspect progress andadapt their planto achieve the Sprint Goal.

Impediments are raised and addressed by the Scrum Master if they cannot be resolved by the team.

Why the other options are incorrect:

B. Sprint Planning:Sprint Planning is focused on creating the Sprint Goal and selecting Product Backlog items for the Sprint, not sharing impediments.

C. Sprint Retrospective:The Retrospective focuses on process improvements and team dynamics, not day-to-day impediments during the Sprint.

D. Sprint Review:The Sprint Review is about presenting the Increment and gathering feedback, not resolving impediments.

The primary activity of the Product Owner ismaximizing the value of the Scrum Team's work. This involves managing the Product Backlog, ensuring that the most valuable work is prioritized, and collaborating with stakeholders to define clear goals and objectives for the Scrum Team.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Product Owner:

Ensures that the Scrum Team is working on the most valuable work by continuously prioritizing and refining the Product Backlog.

Collaborates closely with stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations.

Focuses on delivering value while enabling the Scrum Team to achieve their Sprint Goals.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Ensuring the Charter is understood:A project charter is not part of the Scrum framework. This option is unrelated to Scrum.

B. Experimenting with Sprint duration:Sprint duration is decided by the Scrum Team and is fixed throughout the Scrum implementation. It is not the Product Owner's responsibility to experiment with this.

D. Managing the Developers:Scrum does not involve "managing" Developers; they are self-organizing and responsible for how they complete their work.

One of the primary services a Scrum Master provides to the Scrum Team isremoving impedimentsto the team’s progress. By doing so, the Scrum Master ensures that the team can work without unnecessary disruptions and remain focused on achieving the Sprint Goal.

According to the2020 Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master serves the Scrum Team in several ways, including:

Coaching the team in self-management and cross-functionality.

Helping the team focus on creating high-value Increments.

Removing impediments to the team’s progress.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Prioritize the Sprint Backlog:This is the Product Owner's responsibility as part of Product Backlog management.

B. Develop a release plan:Scrum does not require a release plan, and if it is needed, the Product Owner leads this activity with input from the Developers.

C. Manage the Product Backlog:Managing the Product Backlog is the Product Owner's accountability, not the Scrum Master's.